Flush bowl



Patented May 10, `1.938y

UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUSH BOWL a corporation of Ohio Application December 7,

`1s claims.

This invention relates to a flush bowl, and particularly to that type which has its flushing means directly connected to a water main or supply pipe, without the intervention of a water storage compartment or gravity feed tank, there being only a valve interposed between the flushing means of the bowl and the source of water supply.

A11 object of the present invention is to provide a flush bowl arrangement of the character above referred to, in which there is obviated all possi bility of contamination of the fresh water supply by reason of a so-called back-siphonage action.

Another object of the invention is to accomplish the above object by the use of simple means which are non-mechanical, positive in action, and require no maintenance.

Further objects are to provide means for the purpose stated, which do not wear out, require no adjustments or periodic testing to determine the working order thereof, require no changes in existing equipment when installed, and which safeguard health and promote sanitation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character stated, wherein the various ducts and ports are so related and proportioned that as much as a thirty inch vacuum in the water supply line will not suck water or mist back into said supply line, and in which the amount of water fed into the flushing rim is not so large as to interfere with the proper functioning of the jet stream.

Another object of the invention is to accomplish the above improvements without materially changing the design of the bowl and without increasing the height of the rear portion thereof,

so that existing plumbing arrangements need not be altered upon installation of the improved device.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken longitudinally along the center line of a flush bowl embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Before proceeding with a detailed description of the device of the present invention, a `brief explanation will be given setting forth generally the operation and also the defects commonly found in prior devices of the class` to which the present invention pertains. `Certain of the elements` illustrated in the accompanying drawing may advantageously be referred to in the explanation.

1934, Serial No. 756,491

It has been more or less common practice to connect flush bowls with a riser, such as 4, to supply fresh ushing water under pressure to a hand-operated valve 5 located conveniently relative to the bowl. In such installations, the shut off valve` 6 ordinarily is included in the `supply line, and located in the basement of the building. The riser supplies fresh water also to fixtures such as drinking fountains, wash bowls, and other flush bowls located on floors intermediate the basement and the floor upon which the flush bowl 1, for example, is located.

Prior to the present invention, the `flush bowl constructions permitted back-siphonage from the rim and/or trap upon application of a vacuum to the fresh water inlet, whether the waste pipe was clogged or not, due to the retreating air swiftly passing the jet supply passage or carrying with it foul water from the bowl itself. The

occurrence of stoppage in the sewer connection or waste discharging outlet aggravated the condition, as the flushing rim carried the fresh water supply, and there was established, at the time of overflow, a definite cross-communication between n the fresh water supply and the waste pipe, by way of the `flushing rim passages. In the event that the pressure of thefresh water supply failed or diminished `for any reason, or should an emergency shut off be made, under the condition of stoppage referred to, then a back-Siphonage of the polluted water into the fresh water supply would occur, provided that the valve 5 was not in perfect working order, or that it was of the type held closed by water under pressure. In

the absence of a pressure of water upon the ordinary flush valve, such valve ordinarily does not seat tightly enough to overcome the force of back-Siphonage from the flush bowl or jet passages to the fresh water supply pipe. Under the conditions above set forth, a person drawing Water from a drinkingfountain or the like which may be connected to the branch pipe 8, would drink the polluted water from the clogged flush bowl, the valve ii being closed. The condition just described has actually occurred at various times, and has resulted in the pollution of the fresh water supply of large buildings, such as hotels, hospitals and office buildings, and on such occasions the persons drinking such polluted water contracted amoebic dysentery, typhoid fever, or kindred diseases. It is accordingly made oneof the objects of the present invention, to eliminate all possibility of cross-connections between the seweror waste pipe and the fresh water supply which might result from back-Siphonage occurring in flush bowls or other plumbing fixtures wherein such conditions may occur.

Prior to the present invention, the problem was attacked by inserting mechanical means, such as check valves and the like, but those means were open to the objection that they required frequent inspection, testing, and maintenance, possibly by careless workmen, with the result that at least a few check valves or Venturi systems were not in perfect working order at all times, thereby constituting a potential menace to the health of users of the fixtures. The means of the present invention may be termed nonmechanical, as it includes no moving or adjustable parts and its proper operation is not dependent upon proper maintenance or periodic inspection.

To avoid the possibility of conditions of lth and fresh water contamination as referred to above, the flush bowl has been redesigned as follows. The bowl element 'l is constituted of the customary base part 9, the waste discharge outlet or sewer connection I0, a water trap I2, preferably of the goose neck variety, the jet I3, and a peripheral flushing rim I 4 which, in accordance with common practice, provides a support for a seat or cover.

At one or both sides of the bowl element, there is provided a relief port I5 which is so located as to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level can reach the apertures I6 which supply fresh water to the bowl. The upper edge I'I of the relief port or overflow is below the apertures of the flushing rim, so that a siphon break is provided in the event of stoppage in the waste passage and consequent overflowing of the polluted water through the port I5 and onto the floor or perhaps a container located outside of the bowl element. The height of the partition I8 of the water trap is so related to the other parts of the bowl, as to maintain always a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said normal level being, of course, considerably below the top of overow port I5. Normally, the water level in the bowl stands several inches below the top edge Il of the overflow port or ports.

Before explaining the relative positions of the various passages, ports and chambers built into the bowl element, it may be helpful to observe that the openings indicated by the characters C are simply core openings or voids which are formed for the purpose of reducing weight and insuring an even contraction and expansion of the pottery during various phases of manufacture of the flush bowl element. The opening I9 is the fresh water intake port which is connected with the handoperated valve 5, and said port preferably is of cup shape and provided with a single constricted fresh water outlet opening 20. The opening ZIJ is properly aligned with the inlet port 2| of a distributing chamber 22, as indicated in Fig. 2. The distributing chamber is provided with two outlets, the outlet 23 being so located and proportioned as to direct a certain quantity of the flushing water into the hollow interior or passage 24 of the flushing rim. The second opening, indicated at 25, is the mouth of a jet supply passage 25 which communicates with a supply chamber 2l, as at 2S, to convey flushing water to the relatively small jet I3 which initiates ow of the bowl content from the bowl to the sewer or waste pipe. It should be observed that opening 2| is of substantially the same size and capacity as the opening 20, wherefore water under pressure passing out of the opening 20 will be ydirected as a solid stream from the fresh water intake port I9 to the distributing chamber 22. Said solid stream of water, in passing from 2|) to 2 I, traverses a space 30 which is part of a spacious air intake chamber 29. Said air intake chamber, as indicated in Fig. 2, is quite large and is open to the atmosphere at one end thereof by reason of the provision of a large mouth or opening 3|. While the mouth or opening 3| is shown in the drawing as being in communication with the atmosphere at the flushing rim, it should nevertheless be understood that said mouth may be located near the top of the rim, or in the extreme upper face of that portion of the bowl element which supports the seat or cover, or it may be at the side or back of the fixture, if desired. In the embodiment illustrated, it will be observed that the location of the overflow port I5 is such as to preclude the Water level of the bowl element from reaching the mouth 3| of the air intake chamber 29.

With further reference to the spacious air intake chamber 29, it is to be noted that said chamber is definitely not a flushing means, because the passage of flushing water from port 20 to port 2|, as a solid stream, into passages 25 and 24, spans the space 30 with the result that only an inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into the air intake chamber 29 may occur. From the disclosure of Fig. 2, it should be evident that a reversal of fluid flow through the fresh water intake port I9, for any reason, results in a drawing of atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber 29, by way of the openings 3| and 20, rather than through the small opening 2| which communicates with the distributing chamber 25 and the rim chamber 24. By thus drawing the atmospheric air through the spacious, clean and unobstructed air intake chamber, the reverse flow of air can not possibly agitate any lthy water which may be standing in the vertical jet supply passage 25 and such return flow of air thereby will not be contaminated by any mist or drops of water emanating from lthy portions of the structure. It should readily be evident that, were the opening 3| plugged, a very strong rush of air from 24 through 23 and across the opening 25 and through ports 2| and 20 into the fresh water intake port 9, would agitate any filthy water in the jet supply passage 26 and thereby contaminate the fresh water supply in the riser 4 and perhaps numerous branches thereof such as is indicated at 8. With the ample sized opening 3|, however, a suction through the opening 20 will elfect a maximum flow of air through the intake chamber 29, and very little, if any, through the opening 2| and the ports connected therewith. It will be noted that, except for the opening 2|, the distributing chamber 22, iet supply passage 26 and rim supply passage 24 are, in effect, closed off from the air intake chamber 29 by means of the various walls 32, 33, 34, and 35.

Under a severe test with a thirty inch vacuum in the riser 4, and with the trap clogged to raise the water level to the point I'I, there was found no evidence of foul water or mist from the bowl or its jet supply passage, at the lower end of the riser. Inasmuch as a thirtyinch vacuum is nearly a complete Vacuum, which would probably never be encountered in actual service, it may be said that the improved device of this invention is insured absolutely against back-siphonage and cross-connection between the waste portion of the bowl element and the fresh water supply line. It should be observed that the structure illustrated and described herein provides for a desirable, limited, and properly apportioned flow of flushing water from the flushing rim, so that the jet I3 may function properly with the passage therethrough of the necessary quantity of water to start a'siphoning action between the bowl portion and the sewer connection I0. The air intake chamber 29 is always clear and unobstructed due to the fact that the dynamic pressure of water passing from the opening 2|] of the distributing chamber 22, insures delivery of practically all of the flushing water to the jet and the rim passages, wherefore the full force and volume of the flushing water is rendered effective for flushing the bowl, Without appreciable loss of water or pressure through the air intake chamber 29. The mouth of opening 2| may be flared, as at 80.

The characters 36 indicate bolt holes for securing a Seat or cover in position upon the rim of the flush bowl.

It is to be understood that vario-us modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including a water trap, an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the trap, the bowl element and trap being so related as to maintain a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level can reach the flushing rim, a fresh water intake port for directing flushing water into the flushing rim, and an air intake chamber providing direct communication between the atmosphere and the fresh water intake port.

2. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a, bowl element including a water trap, an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the trap, the bowl element and trap being so related as to maintain a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein providing a siphon break, and located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level can reach the ushin-g rim, a fresh water intake port for directing flushing water into the ushing rim and the bowl element, and walls in the bowl structure providing a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere and including means for directing a stream of fresh flushing water across a portion of said chamber and into the flushing rim with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, whereby a reversal of fluid flow through the fresh water intake port results in drawing v atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber rather than through the flushing rim.

3. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including a water trap, an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the trap, the bowl 1element and trap being so related as to maintain a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein providing a Siphon break, and located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level can reach the flushing rim, a fresh water intake port located above the normal water level for directing flushing water into the flushing rim, a jet and a supply passage therefor fed by the fresh water intake port, and walls in the bowl structure providing a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere and including means for directing a stream of fresh flushing water from the fresh water intake port, across a portion of said chamber, and into the flushing rim and the jet supply passage, with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, whereby a reversal of fluid flow through the fresh water intake port results in drawing atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber rather than through the flushing rim and past the jet supply passage.

4. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including a water trap, a peripheral upper rim, anda waste discharging outlet in communication with the trap, the bowl element and trap being so related as to maintain a, predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein providing a siphon break, and located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level can reach the rim of the bowl element, a Siphon-initiating jet and a water supply passage therefor, a fresh water intake port for supplying flushing water to the jet supply passage, and walls in the bowl structure providing a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere and including means for directing a stream of fresh flushing water across a portion of said chamber and into the jet supply passage with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, whereby a reversal of uid flow through the fresh water intake port results in drawing atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber rather than past the jet supply passage.

5. A flush bowl structure comprising in cornbination a bowl element including an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharge outlet in communication with the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein providing a siphon break, and located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level therein can reach the flushing rim, a water supply compartment having a large fresh water intake port and a smaller outlet port, whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment by way of the smaller outlet port, and a wall in the bowl structure providing a spacious air intake chamber open to the at mosphcre, said wall being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port and having a port therein aligned with said smaller outlet port of the fresh water compartment, so that a stream of fresh flushing water discharged through said smaller outlet port will be directed across a portion of the air intake chamber and through the port of the wall of the intake chamber, said stream thereby passing into the flushing rim with great force but with inconsiderable diversion of the water ofthe stream into said air intake chamber, the fresh water intake port thereby being capable of sucking atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber in the event of a reversal of uid flow through the fresh water intake port.

6. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including an apertured flushing rim, `and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief `port therein located to conduct excess water from the bowl element `before the Water level therein can reach the flushing rim, a fresh water supply compartment having a large intake port and a smaller outlet port whereby pressure of Water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment, walls in the bowl structure providing a distributing chamber, and a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere, one of said walls being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port of the fresh water compartment and having formed therein a port aligned with the aforesaid smaller port whereby a stream of fresh flushing water may be directed across a portion of the air intake chamber, from the said smaller outlet port to the port of the spaced wall, the port of the wall and the port of the compartment being aligned and so proportioned that substantially all of the water stream from the fresh water supply compartment will enter the distributing chamber through the port wall thereof, a jet in the waste discharging outlet, said jet being in fluid communication with the distributing chamber, and an apertured partition between the distributing chamber and the flushing rim for determining the amount of flushing water to be directed into the flushing rim.

'7. A ush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including a water trap, an apertured flushing rim, and a Waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, the bowl element and trap being so related as to maintain a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, said bowl element having a relief port therein providing a siphon break and located to conduct excess water from the bowl element before the water level therein can reach the flushing rim, means providing a fresh water supply compartment having a large intake port and a smaller outlet port whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment, walls in the bowl structure providing a distributing chamber, and a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere, one of said walls being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port and having an intake port therein aligned with said smaller outlet port, the intake port and said outlet port being so proportioned that a stream of flushing water from the fresh water supply compartment will enter the distributing chamber by spanning a portion of the air intake chamber with inconsiderable diversion of the Water of said stream into said air intake chamber, a jet associated with the trap and disposed in fluid communication with the distributing chamber, and means for providing for limited feeding of flushing water from the distributing chamber to the apertured flushing rim.

8. A ush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including a water trap, an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, the bowl element and trap being so related as to maintain a predetermined normal level of water in the bowl element, means providing a fresh water supply compartment having a large intake port and a smaller outlet port whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment, Walls of the bowl structure providing a distributing chamber and a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere, one of said walls being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port and having an intake port therein aligned with said smaller outlet port, the intake port and said outlet port being so proportioned that a stream of flushing water from the fresh water supply compartment will enter the distributing chamber by spanning a portion of the air intake chamber with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, a jet associated with the trap and disposed in fluid communication with the distributing chamber, and means providing for limited feeding of flushing water from the distributing chamber to the apertured flushing rim.

9. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element, an apertured flushing rim, and a Waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, means providing a fresh water supply compartment having a large intake port and a smaller outlet port whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from said compartment, walls in the bowl structure providing a distributing chamber and a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere, one of said walls being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port and having an intake port therein aligned with said smaller outlet port, the intake port and said outlet port being so proportioned that a stream of ushing water from the fresh water supply compartment will enter the distributing chamber by spanning a portion of the air intake chamber with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, a jet associated with the waste discharging outlet and disposed in uid communication with the distributing chamber, and means providing for limited feeding of flushing water from the distributing chamber to the apertured flushing rim.

l0. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including an apertured flushing rim and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, a fresh water intake compartment having a large inlet opening and a smaller discharge port for directing flushing water into the iiushing rim and the bowl element, means in the bowl structure providing a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere and including means for directing a stream of fresh flushing water across a portion of said chamber and into the iiushing rim with inconsiderable diversion of the water of said stream into said air intake chamber, whereby a reversal of fluid flow through the fresh Water intake port results in drawing atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber rather than through the apertured flushing rim.

11. A ush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharge outlet in communication with the bowl element, a water supply compartment having a large fresh water intake port and a smaller outlet port, whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment by way of the smaller outlet port, a wall in the bowl structure providing a spacious airintake chamber open to the atmosphere, said wall being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port and having a port therein aligned with said smaller outlet port of the fresh water compartment, so that a stream of fresh flushing Water discharged through said smaller outlet port will be directed across a portion of the air intake chamber and through the port of the wall of the intake chamber, said stream thereby passing into the waste discharge outlet with great force but with inconsiderable diversion of the Water of the stream into said air intake chamber, the fresh water intake port thereby being enabled to suck atmospheric air mainly through the spacious air intake chamber in the event of a reversal of uid flow through the fresh water intake port.

12. A flush bowl structure comprising in combination a bowl element including an apertured flushing rim, and a waste discharging outlet in communication with the bowl element, a fresh Water supply compartment having a large intake port and a smaller outlet port whereby pressure of water may be built up within said compartment to discharge a solid and forceful stream from the said compartment, walls in the bowl structure providing a distributing chamber and a spacious air intake chamber open to the atmosphere, one of said walls being spaced from the aforesaid smaller outlet port of the fresh water compartment and having formed therein a port aligned with the aforesaid smaller port whereby a stream of fresh ushing water may be directed across a portion of the air intake chamber, from the said smaller outlet port to the port of the spaced wall, the port of the wall and the port of the compartment being aligned and so proportioned that substantially all of the water stream from the fresh water supply compartment will enter the distributing chamber through the port wall thereof, a jet in the waste discharging outlet, said jet being in fluid communication with the distributing chamber, and an apertured partition between the distributing chamber and the ushing rim for determining the amount of iiushing water to be directed into the flushing rim.

13. The combination with a flush bowl having a flushing rim and a Water overflow opening for assuring that the free water in the bowl will not reach a level such that it can re-enter the flushing rim, of an inlet water connection having a water discharge port and means for providing a plurality of air supply chambers or passages communicating with the atmosphere and the inlet water connection discharge port, said air supply chambers or passages being of such size as will furnish an adequate air supply devoid of free Water of the bowl, into the said port in the event of suction therein.

DANIEL W. MCNEIL. 

